Press Conference and Film Screening of ’Beyond the Wail’

Zahirra, the protagonist of Beyond The Wail, is a victim of the 2002 Gujarat riots. She loses everything in life during the riots—her parents and sister are burnt alive. Her father’s teashop is set on fire. Zahirra is gang raped. But Zahirra escapes to Kozhikode in Kerala by means of a highway truck. The truck driver takes her to a clinic run by Dr Mary Varghese, a spinster, who also has had a torrid experience of sexual abuse.

An emotional bonding develops between Zahirra and Dr Mary as the doctor understands the trauma the young girl is going through. But soon religious leaders, who find out that the girl is a Gujarati Muslim, claim to be her ‘legitimate guardians’.

An already married man comes forward to marry Zahirra, but the girl runs away from the clinic to escape the marriage. Community leaders blame Dr Mary of negligence. Zahirra ends up in Wyandadu, a nearby hill town, where a watchman, a Hindu, gives her shelter. Zahirra disguises as a Hindu to escape the clutches of her own community. But after a while, the truth is out, and she is taken to an orphanage. An elderly man, who has links with Mumbai Underworld, ‘kindly’ marries her much against her consent. In the wedding night, as the groom forces himself into her, Zahirra is haunted by memories of the gang rape during the riots. She resists the man and runs out into the night.

We see Zahirra after five years. She is back in Ahmedabad, fighting the establishment for the rights of a group of riot victims. Dr Mary and her support staff watch Zahirra being interviewed by a television channel.